Hero

This world craves a hero.

The corner of our eye seems constantly set to the crest of the horizon. It is watching for that one, any one, that might rise above the crowd to disturb the clutching grip of the advancing enemy that surrounds us.

Our tales are weaved with its scent. Our entertainment: competitive, artistic, literary, and such like, centres around the key thought that this product offered will cure that common need to believe in and hope for the success of our hero. The heart of an entire generation lusts for one who can save us all, remove trouble from us all, be that one who gives us our every desire and donates peace round about. We are now seeking a hero in the very fibre of our viewing perspective. Yet one thing common amongst us all is that we seem unable to be that one.

Through all we have been sold, we seem to by nature be able to define exactly what a hero is. Truly we have no idea what a true hero’s character is. We have never seen heroics. The small glimmers of honour scattered throughout our land are doused by the fogging of evil. Until now when it comes to it, and the fog begins to clear, in our minds the one left standing must be the hero. Yet this is not always the case. A hero is not a conqueror. Don’t be so eager to believe the lie. A hero is the one with honour. The true hero is the one worth copying for pattern. Though he may die, another will always arise in his place. Heroes don’t die completely, because what they do, echoes for hundreds or thousands of years, rallying others to the cause.

A hero is selfless. Without gain in view or rest in sight, pressing on tirelessly, until all is spent and the last breath is gasped; until ever droop of blood be spilt to the ground in seeming vanity, only to raise up in glory; as if every thread of existence hung in the balance of a finishing of the course – be a hero!

Give yourself away. Risk yourself for someone else. Die in gift rather than consummation. Be more than you are. Be a hero.

Everyone has someone who needs that person to be what God has made him to be. Parents, mentors, siblings, companions, neighbours, leaders and everyone else need to consider that you, in the power of righteousness may in fact rise above that crowd and do honour in this evil day. If you do right, without reserve, you too will live and die a hero.

Are you a hero?

(Jedidiah with his hero Elijah... learning to throw rocks)

And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands. And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David. Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled. And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until thou come to the valley...

- 1 Samuel 17:47-52